Digitally Restored and Re-mastered ? Presented in its Original Aspect Ratio ?She was a Peter Pan who refused to grow up.? -William Allen White — In this heart-warming true story, William Allen White (Ed Flanders) reflects o... more &raquon the year he spent with his daughter Mary (Kathleen Beller), a young social reformer and expert horsewoman, before her untimely death. Based on Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist?s own writings, this moving, inspirational tribute is a celebration of courage and determination in the face of adversity.&laquo less

Movie Reviews

A film well worth watching

06/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't think of any reason to take a star away from this film. Perhaps it requires a certain audience but that is easily selected by reading William Allen White's editorial written following his daughter's death. It inspired the movie. The Kansas State Historical Society has posted the editorial on their web site. Just look for Mary White in their index. If you find the editorial appealing, then you will enjoy the film.Mary White lived from 1904 to 1921. You learn of her untimely death a few minutes into the movie. The story focuses on her vibrant life. Inasmuch as it deals with her death, the film is touching but stays well clear of being a tear-jerker. It's charming as a period piece and accurately portrays the era. It was filmed in the locale of Emporia, Kansas where Mary White lived, enhancing the authenticity. The script is well written. The dialogue rings true; it's often witty and occasionally brilliant. The casting and the acting are superb. You enjoy spending time with these people. The music serves the story well, never overpowering it but setting the tone nicely.I think William Allen White would have been pleased with this faithful film rendition of his written tribute to his daughter. You do get to know, in the father's words, "the glowing, gorgeous, fervent soul of her". At the end of the movie, I wanted to watch it again to bring her back to life."

A narated historical biography

R. Bagula | Lakeside, Ca United States | 10/28/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The famous award winning small town Midwest newspaperpublisher and author loses his daughter in a riding accidentwhen she hits her head on a tree while riding her horseafter waving at a boy who was sweet on her.The whole piece seems to be about how difficult and idealisticthis teen age girl was who was just about to graduate from high school.She breaks her arm cranking her model T Fordand that sets off a chain of parental disciplines.For the most part with excellent grades and very goodbehavior, she is a model daughter who is head strong and at her Dad's teaching, very idealistic about discrimination, the elderly, unions and human rights in general. The time period is the active one of post world warone when horses still were used on a great many roads and farms in the Midwest.I liked the movie, but it was kind of sentimental.

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Offers White's reflections on his last year with Mary as the

Midwest Book Review | Oregon, WI USA | 11/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MARY WHITE is perfect for families with kids: it comes from a father who lost his teen daughter to a horseback-riding accident in 1921, and who celebrated her life with a newspaper editorial. MARY WHITE became a TV film and here offers White's reflections on his last year with Mary as they together fought against racial segregation and for women's rights."